Hamas: Israel not serious about Gaza ceasefire talks

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan expressed skepticism about Israel’s commitment to ceasefire negotiations regarding the conflict in Gaza during an interview with Al-Aqsa TV on Friday.

“Israel is not genuinely engaging in the negotiations,” Hamdan said during the broadcast. He indicated that Hamas would consider any proposal that “meets our people’s demands, ends their suffering, and completely halts the Israeli aggression, not temporarily.”

The ongoing conflict, which began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, has resulted in widespread devastation in Gaza. According to Palestinian health authorities, the death toll has exceeded 43,000, with significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

Diplomatic efforts for a permanent ceasefire, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have not yet succeeded. Hamas maintains its position that any truce must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to hostilities.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that an Israeli delegation recently returned from talks in Doha, stating that discussions between mediators and Hamas would continue “to evaluate the feasibility of talks and the continued effort to advance a deal.”